30 Lawyers Disciplined on May & June Lists

Disciplinary Actions — May & June 2017 State Bar lists (verbatim from the State Bar of Texas)

General questions regarding attorney discipline should be directed to the Chief Disciplinary Counsel’s Office, toll-free (877) 953-5535 or (512) 453-5535. The Board of Disciplinary Appeals may be reached at (512) 475-1578. Information and copies of actual orders are available at www.txboda.org. The State Commission on Judicial Conduct may be contacted toll-free, (877) 228-5750 or (512) 463-5533. Please note that persons disciplined by the Commission on Judicial Conduct are not necessarily licensed attorneys.

HOUSTON AREA DISCIPLINE

BODAOn May 11, 2017, the Board of Disciplinary Appeals signed an order dismissing compulsory discipline of The Woodlands attorney Percy L. Isgitt [#10433000], 73. On February 25, 2015, Isgitt pled nolo contendre to misapplication of fiduciary property over $200,000, a first-degree felony, in violation of the Texas Penal Code, an intentional crime as defined in the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure, in the case styled, The State of Texas v. Percy Lawayne Isgitt, Cause No. 145944801010, in the 174th Judicial District Court of Harris County. The court entered an order of deferred adjudication, placing Isgitt on community supervision for 10 years. Isgitt was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $275,395 to the victim. On May 2, 2017, the Supreme Court of Texas accepted Isgitt’s resignation in lieu of discipline by Misc. Docket No. 17-9041 and canceled his license to practice law. BODA Cause No. 58740.
On May 3, 2017, the Board of Disciplinary Appeals signed a judgment of disbarment against Houston attorney Ikechukwu Nweze [#00792725], 64. On July 7, 2016, Nweze pled guilty to insurance fraud and to engaging in organized criminal activity in violation of the Texas Penal Code sec. 35.02(b)(5) and Texas Penal Code 71.02, intentional crimes as defined in the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure, in the case styled, The State of Texas v. Ikechukwu Nweze, Cause Nos. 143642101010 and 1436422, in the 176th Judicial District Court of Harris County. Orders of deferred adjudication were entered in both causes by the 185th Judicial District Court of Harris County, and Nweze was placed on community supervision for four years and ordered to surrender his law license. BODA Cause No. 58338.

SUSPENSIONSOn April 12, 2017, Jacqueline M. Houlette [#00787718], 53, of Houston, accepted an 18-month fully probated suspension effective May 1, 2017. An evidentiary panel of the District 4 Grievance Committee found that Houlette failed to hold funds and other property belonging in whole or in part to her client separate from her own property in a separate account, failed to promptly deliver funds to a third party that had an interest upon receiving funds, and failed to timely furnish a response to the Office of the Chief Disciplinary Counsel as required by the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure. Houlette violated Rules 1.14(a), 1.14(b), and 8.04(a)(8). She was ordered to pay $1,500 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.

On February 13, 2017, Paul Steven Jacobs [#10520600], 57, of Houston, received a two-year fully probated suspension effective March 1, 2017. The 133rd District Court of Harris County found that Jacobs committed professional misconduct by violating Rules 1.14(b) [for failing, upon receiving funds in which a third person has an interest, to promptly notify the third person and failing to promptly deliver to the client or third person funds that the client or third person is entitled to receive]; 5.03(a) and 5.03(b) [for failing to make reasonable efforts to ensure that non-lawyer employees’ conduct was compatible with the professional obligations of the lawyer and for ordering, encouraging, or permitting non-lawyer employees’ conduct that would be a violation of the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct]; 8.04(a)(3) [for engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation]; and 8.04(a)(8) [for failing to respond to the grievance]. Jacobs was ordered to pay $444.20 in restitution and $1,549.97 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.

On March 7, 2017, Robert Earnest Williams II [#24085659], 35, of Houston, accepted a six-month fully probated suspension effective April 1, 2017. An evidentiary panel of the District 4 Grievance Committee found that Williams failed to promptly deliver funds to his client and a medical provider that they were entitled to receive. Williams violated Rule 1.14(b). He was ordered to pay $1,666.66 in restitution and $750 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.

PUBLIC REPRIMANDS
On April 10, 2017, Jorge A. Cantu [#03767370], 54, of Houston, received an agreed judgment of public reprimand. An evidentiary panel of the District 4 Grievance Committee found that in connection with three immigration cases in which a non-lawyer used Cantu’s name to practice law, Cantu knowingly failed to disclose that fact to the tribunals when it was necessary to avoid assisting fraudulent acts. Cantu violated Rule 3.03(a)(2). He was ordered to pay $3,242.35 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.

REST OF THE STATE DISCIPLINE

BODAOn May 2, 2017, the Board of Disciplinary Appeals signed a judgment of disbarment against Leander attorney Carolyn Barnes [#01761550], 60. On or about June 11, 2013, Barnes was convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon while using or exhibiting a firearm, a second-degree felony, an intentional crime as defined in the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure, and sentenced to serve three years in prison in The State of Texas v. Carolyn Barnes, Case No. 10-63-K368, in the 368th Judicial District Court of Williamson County. Barnes appealed her criminal conviction. On August 28, 2013, the Board of Disciplinary Appeals signed an interlocutory order of suspension pending the appeal of her criminal conviction. Barnes appealed BODA’s interlocutory order to the Supreme Court of Texas and it was affirmed on June 20, 2014 (Tex. Sup. Ct. No. 13-0753; rehearing denied August 15, 2014). The 3rd Court of Appeals of Texas affirmed her criminal conviction on February 9, 2017, and issued its mandate (Cause No. 03-13-00434-CR). Her conviction is final, and she is disbarred. BODA Cause No. 52457.

On May 1, 2017, the Board of Disciplinary Appeals signed a default judgment of public reprimand against Shreveport, Louisiana, attorney Charles Marvin Bradshaw II [#00790354], 53. Although properly cited and noticed, Bradshaw did not answer or appear. Bradshaw was publicly reprimanded by the Supreme Court of Louisiana in a matter styled, In re: Charles Marvin Bradshaw II, Case No. 2013-B-0356, for neglecting a client’s matter, failing to communicate with the client, and engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice. In accordance with the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure, Bradshaw will receive a public reprimand in Texas. BODA Cause No. 58731.

On May 8, 2017, the Board of Disciplinary Appeals signed a judgment of disbarment against Kingsville attorney Alfred L. Isassi [#24010124], 44. On October 13, 2015, Isassi was convicted by a jury of tampering with a governmental record in violation of Texas Penal Code sec. 37.10, an intentional crime as defined in the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure, in the case styled, The State of Texas v. Alfred Lee Isassi, Cause No. 15-CRF-0182, in the 105th Judicial District Court of Kleberg County. Isassi was sentenced to two years in a state jail facility, probated for four years, ordered to perform 800 hours of community service, and removed as Kleberg County Court at Law judge. On December 4, 2015, the judgment was amended and the sentence reduced to one year in the Kleberg County Jail, probated for two years. He was ordered to resign as County Court at Law judge and ordered to perform 100 hours of community service. On September 30, 2016, the 105th Judicial District Court of Kleberg County terminated Isassi’s probation, set aside the guilty verdict, and dismissed the indictment. BODA’s opinion and judgment may be found at txboda.org. BODA Cause No. 57699.

On May 1, 2017, the Board of Disciplinary Appeals signed an agreed judgment of indefinite disability suspension against Dallas attorney Matthew Alan Sharp [#24004403], 42, in accordance with Part XII of the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure and section 8 of the internal procedural rules of the Board of Disciplinary Appeals. BODA Cause No. 57786.

On May 8, 2017, the Board of Disciplinary Appeals signed an order dismissing compulsory discipline against Marble Falls attorney Barlow Smith [#18536020], 87. On September 22, 2015, Smith pled guilty to fraud delivery of a controlled substance/prescription schedule III/IV/V in violation of Texas Penal Code sec. 481.129(c)(1), an intentional crime as defined in the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure, in the case styled, The State of Texas v. Barlow Smith, Cause No. 42272, in the 424th Judicial District Court of Burnet County. Smith was sentenced to five years in prison. The sentence was probated, and Smith was placed on community supervision for 10 years. On May 2, 2017, the Supreme Court of Texas accepted Smith’s resignation in lieu of discipline by Misc. Docket No. 17-9037 and canceled his license to practice law. BODA Cause No. 58072.

On May 1, 2017, the Board of Disciplinary Appeals signed an agreed judgment of public reprimand against Baton Rouge, Louisiana, attorney Louis Jerome Stanley [#00797734], 68. Stanley was publicly reprimanded by the Supreme Court of Louisiana in a matter styled, In re: Louis Jerome Stanley, Case No. 14-DB-042, for failing to keep the client reasonably informed about the proceeds of a lawsuit, failing to promptly deliver to the client funds she was entitled to receive, and violating a rule of professional conduct. In accordance with the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure, Stanley will receive a public reprimand in Texas. BODA Cause No. 58337.

On May 8, 2017, the Board of Disciplinary Appeals signed an order dismissing compulsory discipline of Edinburg attorney Jacques Evan Trevino [#00797571], 49. On August 10, 2015, Trevino pled no contest to misapplication of fiduciary property in violation of Texas Penal Code sec. 32.45(c)(5), an intentional crime as defined in the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure, in the case styled, The State of Texas v. Jacques Trevino, Cause No. CR-4374-13-1, in the 398th Judicial District Court of Hidalgo County. The court entered an order of deferred adjudication, placing him on community supervision for 10 years. Trevino was also ordered to pay a fine of $500 and restitution in the amount of $91,667, perform 160 hours of community service, and be confined and treated in a substance abuse treatment center for a term between 90 days and one year. On May 2, 2017, the Supreme Court of Texas accepted Trevino’s resignation in lieu of discipline by Misc. Docket No. 17-9042 and canceled his license to practice law. BODA Cause No. 57320.

RESIGNATIONSOn March 7, 2017, the Supreme Court of Texas accepted the resignation in lieu of discipline of Jennifer Elizabeth Meehan [#24031502], 40, of Sandy Springs, South Carolina. At the time of Meehan’s resignation, a judgment had been entered in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Western Division, wherein Meehan pleaded guilty to bank fraud and was committed to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons for a term of six months. She was ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $50,000 and restitution in the amount of $34,815.41. This conviction would subject Meehan to compulsory discipline.

SUSPENSIONSOn March 29, 2017, Richard R. Alamia [#00964200], 70, of Edinburg, accepted a two-year fully probated suspension effective July 1, 2017. An evidentiary panel of the District 12 Grievance Committee found that Alamia failed to return an unearned fee. Alamia violated Rule 1.15(d). He was ordered to pay $300 in restitution and $1,500 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.

On March 6, 2017, Fred Bowers II [#00785712], 53, of Lubbock, agreed to a two-year fully probated suspension effective March 1, 2017. An evidentiary panel of the District 16 Grievance Committee found that Bowers failed to keep the client reasonably informed, failed to communicate the basis or rate of the fees, failed to hold the client’s funds in a trust account, and failed to promptly deliver funds to parties they were entitled to receive. Bowers violated Rules 1.03(a), 1.04(c), 1.14(a), and 1.14(b). He was ordered to pay $40,000 in restitution and $1,500 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.

On March 20, 2017, Olivero E. Canales [#03737200], 64, of Laredo, accepted a six-month fully probated suspension effective February 24, 2017. An evidentiary panel of the District 12 Grievance Committee found that Canales failed to communicate with a client and failed to respond to a grievance in a timely manner. Canales violated Rules 1.03(b) and 8.04(a)(8). He was ordered to pay $800 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.

On March 2, 2017, Kevin D. Fine [#00790682], 50, of Boerne, accepted a two-year fully probated suspension effective March 1, 2017. The District 15 Grievance Committee found that Fine neglected a client’s matter, failed to communicate with a client, failed to hold a client’s funds in a trust account, and failed to return any unearned fees. Fine violated Rules 1.01(b)(1), 1.03(b), 1.14(a), and 1.15(d). He was ordered to pay $8,000 in restitution and $1,800 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.

On April 6, 2017, Brian Anthony Hamner [#24041050], 41, of San Antonio, received a six-year partially probated suspension effective March 31, 2017, with the first four years actively served and the remainder probated. An evidentiary panel of the District 10 Grievance Committee found that Hamner neglected a client’s matter, failed to refund unearned fees, engaged in conduct involving misrepresentation, violated a prior disciplinary judgment, and failed to respond to a grievance. Hamner violated Rules 1.01(b)(1), 1.15(d), 8.04(a)(3), 8.04(a)(8), and 8.04(a)(7). He was ordered to pay $6,850 in restitution and $800 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.

On March 11, 2017, William Eric Hulett [#00796797], 51, of Grapevine, received a five-year active suspension effective March 2, 2017. An evidentiary panel of the District 6 Grievance Committee found that in two separate matters in March 2013 and April 2014, Hulett neglected a matter entrusted to him by allowing a complainant’s divorce case to be dismissed for want of prosecution. During his representation of the complainant, Hulett failed to keep the complainant reasonably informed about the status of her divorce and failed to promptly comply with reasonable requests for information. Hulett violated Rules 1.01(b)(1) and 1.03(a). He was ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution, $1,732.50 in attorneys’ fees, and $200 in direct expenses.

On February 27, 2017, Jacqueline LeFevre [#24027947], 41, of La Joya, agreed to a two-year partially probated suspension effective May 1, 2017, with the first 90 days actively served and the remainder probated. An evidentiary panel of the District 12 Grievance Committee found that LeFevre failed to abide by the client’s instructions concerning the lawsuit, failed to keep the client reasonably informed, failed to return any unearned fees, failed to respond to a grievance in a timely manner, and engaged in the practice of law while her license was suspended. LeFevre violated Rules 1.02(a)(1), 1.03(a), 1.15(d), 8.04(a)(8), and 8.04(a)(11). She was ordered to pay $2,200 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.
On April 21, 2017, Jacqueline LeFevre [#24027947], 41, of La Joya, agreed to a 27-month partially probated suspension effective May 1, 2017, with the first three months actively served and the remainder probated. An evidentiary panel of the District 12 Grievance Committee found that LeFevre engaged in the practice of law while her law license was administratively suspended. LeFevre violated Rule 8.04(a)(11). She was ordered to pay $800 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.

On March 17, 2017, Tamer Farouk Morsi [#24041530], 44, of San Antonio, accepted a 10-month fully probated suspension effective March 1, 2017. An evidentiary panel of the District 10 Grievance Committee found that Morsi failed to keep a client reasonably informed and failed to respond to the grievance. Morsi violated Rules 1.03(a) and 8.04(a)(8). He was ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution and $800 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.

On March 7, 2017, Jenna Page [#24033478], 46, of Annandale, Virginia, received a one-year partially probated suspension effective April 1, 2017, with the first month actively served and the remainder probated. An evidentiary panel of the District 6 Grievance Committee found that a complainant was performing document review on a contract basis. From December 21, 2013, to March 8, 2014, Page engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation, by submitting time sheets and being paid for work that was not authorized and was not required. Page violated Rule 8.04(a)(3). She was ordered to pay $1,728 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.

On February 6, 2017, Mary Mankesi Panzu [#24066911], 33, of Arlington, received a four-year fully probated suspension effective February 28, 2017. An evidentiary panel of the District 7 Grievance Committee found that Panzu neglected legal matters, knowingly made false statements of material fact or law to a tribunal, and knowingly disobeyed obligations under the standing rules of or rulings by a tribunal. Panzu violated Rules 1.01(b)(1), 3.03(a)(1), and 3.04(d). She was ordered to pay $2,417.50 in attorneys’ fees and $200 in direct expenses.

On April 13, 2017, William Earl Price [#24003330], 53, of Dallas, agreed to a 12-month partially probated suspension, with the first three months actively served and the remainder probated. An evidentiary panel of the District 6 Grievance Committee found that Price neglected the legal matter entrusted to him, failed to keep his client reasonably informed about the status of his legal matters, and failed to promptly comply with reasonable requests for information from his client about his legal matters. Price failed to timely furnish to the Office of the Chief Disciplinary Counsel a response or other information as required by the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure and did not in good faith timely assert a privilege or other legal ground for his failure to do so. Price violated Rules 1.01(b)(1), 1.03(a), and 8.04(a)(8). He was ordered to pay $1,500 in restitution and $99.65 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.
On April 13, 2017, William Earl Price [#24003330], 53, of Dallas, agreed to a 12-month partially probated suspension, with the first two months actively served and the remainder probated. An evidentiary panel of the District 6 Grievance Committee found that Price failed to keep his client reasonably informed and promptly comply with reasonable requests about the status of his legal matter. Upon termination of representation, Price failed to surrender papers and property to which the client was entitled. The panel also found that Price failed to timely furnish to the Office of the Chief Disciplinary Counsel a response or other information as required by the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure and did not in good faith timely assert a privilege or other legal ground for his failure to do so. Price violated Rules 1.03(a), 1.15(d), and 8.04(a)(8). He was ordered to pay $99.65 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.

On March 13, 2017, Johnny Rodriguez [#24045311], 43, of San Antonio, accepted a one-year fully probated suspension effective March 15, 2017. The 285th Judicial District Court of Bexar County found that Rodriguez committed professional misconduct by violating Rule 1.14(a) [failing to hold funds and other property belonging in whole or in part to clients or third persons in a lawyer’s possession separate from the lawyer’s own property]. Rodriguez was ordered to pay $6,004.43 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.

On March 30, 2017, David Mark Skelton [#00794645], 47, of Lubbock, accepted a two-year active suspension effective April 3, 2017. An evidentiary panel of the District 16 Grievance Committee found that Skelton neglected a client’s matter, failed to communicate with a client, failed to hold a client’s funds in a trust account, failed to return the unearned portion of the fee, failed to provide an accounting to the client, and misrepresented facts in his response to the grievance. Skelton violated Rules 1.01(b)(1), 1.03(a), 1.14(a), 1.14(b), 1.15(d), and 8.04(a)(3). He was ordered to pay $2,500 in restitution and $400 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.

On February 22, 2017, Jerome Neal Stein [#19128290], 58, of Addison, received a 12-month fully probated suspension effective March 1, 2017. An evidentiary panel of the District 6 Grievance Committee found that Stein neglected a complainant’s legal matter, failed to refund unearned fees, and failed to provide a full accounting to the complainant as requested. In a second matter, Stein neglected a complainant’s legal matter entrusted to him by failing to appear at a hearing, failed to keep the complainant reasonably informed about the status of his legal matter, and failed to promptly comply with reasonable requests for information from the complainant. Stein violated Rules 1.01(b)(1), 1.03(a), 1.14(b), and 1.15(d). He was ordered to pay $4,397.07 in restitution and $1,500 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.

PUBLIC REPRIMANDS
On March 27, 2017, Juan Carlos Penaflor [#24060403], 35, of Dallas, received a public reprimand. The 193rd Judicial District Court of Dallas County found that Penaflor relied on the advice of learned counsel that it was permissible to practice law in a law firm with a non-lawyer as a corporate director or officer thereof, and that even though Penaflor reasonably relied upon advice of counsel related to the law firm’s formation, that the corporate composition form of such firm violated Rule 5.04(d)(2) of the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct.Penaflor violated Rule 5.04(d)(2). He was ordered to pay $1,500 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.

On April 12, 2017, Lonnie Woods [#21958075], 65, of Arlington, entered into an agreed judgment of public reprimand. The 17th Judicial District Court of Tarrant County found that Woods neglected a legal matter entrusted to him, failed to keep his client reasonably informed about the status of his legal matter, and failed to promptly comply with his client’s reasonable requests for information. Woods violated Rules 1.01(b)(1) and 1.03(a). He was ordered to pay $2,500 in attorneys’ fees and direct expenses.